Lunenburg school board is urged not to punish whole team

Tuesday

Nov 19, 2013 at 11:18 PMNov 19, 2013 at 11:22 PM

By Gail Stanton, CORRESPONDENT

LUNENBURG — A crowd of more than 100 people — parents, football players and coaches — packed the Board of Selectmen's meeting Tuesday night to voice their concerns that the high school football season was canceled.

School Superintendent Loxi Jo Calmes announced Monday the decision to cancel the season in the wake of an investigation into racial slurs painted on the home of 13-year-old football player Isaac Phillips last week.

Although the discussion was not on the agenda, the board listened to the concerns of the community, with many people expressing their feelings that all the players and cheerleaders should not be punished.

"They should be allowed to play the Thanksgiving game. We can't blame the acts of one person on the whole team," said Les Szabady.

Thomas Alonzo, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, reminded the group several times that the decision to cancel the season lies with the School Committee and the school administrator.

Resident Steve Powell placed much of the blame on the media.

"These kids are friends with Isaac and want to play football with Isaac," he said. "Whoever has done this has turned the town upside down and they need help."

Rick Hill, president of Lunenburg Youth Football and Cheer, said: "Cleats get thrown in the trash and flat tires happen across America. These kids all deserve to play football on Thanksgiving. The school committee made a mistake. You shouldn't punish them."

School Committee Chairman Gregory Berthaiume also attended the meeting. He said he had just come from an emergency meeting of the School Committee.

At the emergency School Committee Tuesday night, members released a statement supporting Ms. Calmes' and the administration's decision to forfeit the Thanksgiving game.

"We base this recommendation on our concerns for the safety and well-being of our students, players and fans in the emotionally-charged environment that has been generated by these recent acts," the statement said. "We also believe it would be highly inappropriate to play the remaining games while there is an ongoing investigation."

The statement also confirms that two investigations are underway over allegations of racist slurs uttered by Lunenburg players at Worcester's South High varsity and junior varsity football games and the racial slur "scrawled on the home of Mr. Phillips and his family."

At the selectmen's meeting, Mr. Berthaiume said the School Committee would meet Wednesday night and residents are welcome to attend.